Josiah Lee

Mr. Lee was born in North Carolina, but moved to Arizona when he graduated high school! He is married and has three wonderful (most of the time) kids. He spent the last ten years as a youth pastor at various churches around the East Valley! He took his passion for students and decided to channel that into becoming a teacher. He loves the AZ Cardinals almost as much as his family. When he isn’t teaching or watching football you can find him playing video games or golfing. He loves being part of the LEAO team and looks forward to partnering with you to best help your student be successful in the online environment!

Michelle Irvine

Michele Irvine is married with two beautiful children who both attend Leading Edge Academy. She graduated from Central Michigan University in 2001 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and minors in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Middle Level Education. Mrs. Irvine has taught for 10 years in different positions including 6th grade Math and Science, 7th Grade Math, Honors Math, and worked as a K-6 Math Specialist.

Amy Verkest

Amy was born and raised in Oregon. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Master’s Degree in Teaching Physical Education. She taught PE for 18 years before moving to Arizona in 2017. Amy has been happily married for 19 years and has three children, all who attend Leading Edge Academy. Amy began her time at Leading Edge Academy over the summer and is very grateful for the opportunity to work in the Mountain View Campus as a Business Specialist.

Dawn Romero

Laura Gulbrandson

Ms. Laura Gulbranson is a native Arizonan who has just joined the Leading Edge Academy family. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She specializes in English as a Second Language for 6th through 12th grade but has found her home in sharing her love for literature and writing with her junior high and high school students. When not teaching, you can find Ms. Gulbranson dreaming to travel again or reading until the wee hours of weekend mornings with a cup of hot chocolate or tea. She is currently working on her first novel and is overjoyed to be your child’s English teacher!

Maria Mendoza

Mrs. Maria Mendoza grew up in Southwest Florida but moved to Arizona with her family right before the start of college. Ms. Phillips graduated with a B.A degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Arizona State University. She started teaching first grade at Leading Edge Academy East Mesa in 2009. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her lab/husky mix named Hurley. She also enjoys hiking, reading, going to the gym, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dawna Johnson

Daisy Cruz

Melanie Rivera

Melanie Rivera